Conveyer for carton-sealing machines.



Wit" zoom V H. L. JOHNSON. GONVEYER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES.APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

976,264. Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1,

avwewtoz H. L. JOHNSON.

GONVEYER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES. APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

5 SHEETSSHEBT 2-- H. L. JOHNSON. GONVEYER FOR GARTON SEALING MAUHINES.APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHBET 3.

attoznu a H. L. JOHNSON. GONVEYER FOR CARTON SEALING MACHINES.APPLICATION FILED APR. 14. 1908.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Q/Vi in awe:

H. L. JOHNSON.

GONVEYER FOR GARTON SEALING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.14. 1908.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

xwomfor Wit" eons attoznu a UNITED STATES PTE \FICE.

HARRY -'L: JOHNSON, F BATTLE CREEK, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF T0WILL K. KELLOGG, OF BATTLE GREEK, MICHIGAN.

CONVEYER FOR CARTON-SEALING MACHINES.

Application filed April 14, 1908; Serial No. 426,994.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY L. JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at the city of Battle Creek, county of Calhoun, State ofMichigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Conveyorsfor CartomSealing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention-relates to improvements in conveyers for carton sealingmachines.

My invention is particularly adapted for the closing and sealing ofthetops of filled cartons, and I have illustrated it herein embodied ina machine especially designed and adapted for that purpose, althoughcertain features and parts of my improvements are adapted for use inmachines for setting up or closing the bottom fiaps of cartons.

The main objects of this invention are: first, to provide an improvedcarton sealing machine of large capacity,that is, one ca-v pable ofperforming a large amount of work in a given time; second, to provide animproved carton sealing machine in which the cartons are effectivelvhandled without injury thereto;third, to provide in a structure of theclass described an improved automatic feed mechanism; fourth, to providein a structure of the class described an improved carton conveyer;.fifth, to, provide in a structure of the class described, an im- -provedflap Holding, sealing and holding means; andsixth, to provide in-astructure of the class described improved driving connections for theparts whereby. they are operated in proper sequence.

,Furtherobjects, and objects relating to structural details, .wiildefinitely appear from the} detailed.description to follow. j

.I accomplislrtheobjects. of my invention lyv the devicesandmeansdescribed in the following specification. j invention as clearly definedand pointed, out in the claims.

A m1;n11-e embodying the features of my invention is, clearlyillustrated in the ace companying drawing, forming apart of thisspecification, i n 'whieli, v I

I Figu e 1 is aisile elevation of a carton sealing machine Chiljodyingthe features of, my inyention portionsof the feedandidelivery beltsbeing broken away; FigjQQisa, plan view thereof, thcdelivery belts notbe-.

ing sliown;Fig. Sis a vertical section, .tak en, on aline correspond ngvt'o l1ne.;3 3 of Flg.

- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

2; Fig. 4 is a rear end elevation looking from a the right of Fig. 2;Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail vertical section, taken on a linecorresponding to line 5-5 of Fig. 4, showing-details of the drivingmechanism for the automatic carton feed mechanismfFig. 6 is an enlargeddetail section, taken on a line correspondlng to line 6--6 of Fig. 5;Fig. 7 is an enlarged vertical section, taken on a line corresponding toline 77 of Fig. 4:, showing the cam for operating one of the carton flapfolders; Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section, taken on a linecorresponding to line.

8-8 of Fig. 3, showing details of the conveyer and of the supporting andadjusting means therefor; Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail section, taken ona line corresponding to line 99 of Fig. 3, showing details of the flapspreaders or openers, which open the flaps preparatory to theirreceiving the glue; Fig. 10. is an enlarged detail vertical section,taken on a line corresponding to line 1010 of Fig. 2, showing one of'theglue recep taoles, the glue wheel being indicated by dotted lines; Fig.11 is a vertical section,

' taken on a line corresponding to line l111 of Fig. 10, through theglue receptacle; Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail vertical section, takenon a line corresponding to line 12-12 of Fig. 1, showing the details ofthe carton feed mechanism; Fig. 13 is an enlarged detail plan of partsof the feed mechanism; Fig. 14 is a detail section, taken on a linecorresponding to line l l l of Fig. 13; Fig. 15 is a detail verticalsection, taken on 'alinecorresponding to line 15-45 of Fig.

12, showing details of. one of the carton stops .Fig. 16 is a:horizontal sect1on,-taken on: a line corresponding to 'line .1616 ofFig; 15 Fig. v17 is a plan view of one of the rotary .flap foldingplates .39 g and Fig. 18

is a detailhorizontal section, taken on a line corresponding to line17-17 of Fig. 3, showing the arrangement of the timing stop.v Fig. 19 isa detail plan view of the forward end. of the machine, showing detailsof the carton :feeding mecl1anism, a plurality of" cartonsbelngindicated in conventional form in the machine... y p

1 ,In the drawing,-thesectional views are taken looking in thedirectiongof the little :arrows at the ends of thesectionlines, andfsinnilar numeralsof reference refer to similar parts throughouttheseveral =views. 1

, .l Beferring to thedrawing, the frame 1 of my improved carton sealingmachine is pref as 17. A clutch 18is gear 12 on one o erably rectangularin form, made up of suitable longitudinal pieces or rails connected bysuitable vertical and horizontal cross pieces, as will appear from thedrawing.

This I preferably support on suitable legs, as 2. The mechanism islargely arranged and supported within this frame, andpreferably'consists of a carton conveyer, comprising a plurality ofbelts, the belt 3. being the bottom belt of the conveyer, and the belts4 being the side belts, the said side belts being adapted to coact withthe belt 3 in supportingand carrying along thecartons. The bottom belt 3is supported and carried by a pair of pulleys 5 and 6 arranged attherear and front of the frame, respectively. The belts 4 are carried bypulleys 7 and 8 on the vertically-arranged shafts 9 and 10.

The pulley'5 is loosely mounted on the horizontally-arranged shaft 1l"bywhich it is carried and is rovided with a beveled f its faces. This gearis connected to the shaft 11 by means of the beveled gears 13 and 1 1,the gear 13 being secured to the shaft 11, and the gear 14 being securedto one of the shafts 10 whereby, as these gears are all of the samediameter, the conveyer belts are driven at the same speed. The othershaft 10 is connected to the shaft 11 by a like pair of gears 13 and14:, so that all three conveyer belts move at the same rate of s eed.This shaft is connected to the drivlng shaft 15 of the ma-- chine bymeans of suitable sprockets and sprocket chain 16, The driving shaft 15is provided with a suitable power beltwhebl,

the sprocket wheel to the drivenlshaft, .so that the conveyer belts maybe disconnected or stopped and started at will a suitable hand leverl9,b,eing the clutch. A a

The belt 3 is supported-betwe'en-the pul leys by" the support 20, whichis arranged longitudinally below the same,that is, below the top rea'chthereof. This snpport is carried by the standards 21 arranged on suit--able cross pieces 22 of the frame, and by the cross pieces and 85 at theforward end of provided for operating ,the'frame. The horizontalcrosspieces 22 are provided With longitudinal slots 23, so

that-the standards 21 may be adjusted laterally of the frame, thestandards being se cured by suitable. bolts, as 24,Fig. 8 arrangedthrough these slots. The standards 21 are provided with vertical slots25 to receive the securing bolts 26 for the rests 26 for the supports20, so that they may be adjusted vertically belt. vThe side belts aresupported by the supports 27, which are-adjustably secured to thestandards by the bolts 28 arranged in the slots thereof. Above and belowthe side belts 4, I preferably provide bars 29, the

provided for securing to properly support the plane of their inner facesbeing slightly .30 arranged in the slots of the uprights. v

.1 preferably provide a belt tighten'er for the-belt 3 of the conveyerconsisting of a levermounted on a pivot 116 having a roller 117 at oneend to engage the belt, and a Weight 118 at the other end, so that thedesired tension is applied to the belt.

By thus arranging the conveyer, the cartons are effectively carriedforward to the flap-opening, gluing and sealingmechanism, which islocated along the conveyer so that the proper steps are performed as thecartons are carriedforward. 'I will now proceed to despribe thismechanism in the order of its operation and will then describe myimproved automatic feed mechanism by' which -the cartons are effectivelydelivered to the carton closing .and sealing mechanism.

As the cartons are carried along by the conveyer described in anupright. position, the rear flap of the carton-is engaged and foldedforwardly by the reciprocating folder 31. The front flap is then engagedand folded down by the belt 32, the forward pulley 33 for the .belt 32being located in the path of the flap,that is, so that. the belt issupported above the path of the carton. It

is obvious that this pulley or roller 33 would fold down the flap,'ifthe belt were omitted,

but the belt serves to hold the inner flaps in I their folded positionwhile the glue is being applied to the outer or s1de flaps, and alsoserves to assist in carrying the carton along while the glue is beingapplied to the flaps, and retains the cartons in an upright position atthis time.

The rear pulley 34 for the belt is preferably located on the drivingshaft 15 between the glue wheels 35, which are also mounted on. thisshaft.

As the inner dr the front l and rear flaps are engaged by the belt 32,

shoe-like flap turners or deflectors 36erranged at each side of the belt32 Fig. 9 and in front of the glue wheels 35 and folded or turnedoutwardly to receive the glue on their inner faces, as they pass underthe glue wheels. Theseflap turners or deflectors are mounted on thecross bar,

arranged across the frame in front of the pulley 34 and the glue wheels35. As

thecarton is carried forward by the conveyer described, after passingthe glue wheels, the one of the side flaps which I designate as theinner for convenience is engaged by the flap turner or folder 38 theouter or side flaps are engaged by the 3 turner or folder 38 and turnedinwardly upon the other side flap; and, as the carton is carried .along,the flap is engaged by the other revolving flap folder or flap presser39 and pressed down upon the other flaps. The devices 39 are, in effect,pressing devices,

as they firmly press the flaps together. These flap folders or .pressers39 preferably consist of blades arrangedon an angle on the verticalshafts 40, so that, as they are revolved, they engage and press downupon the flaps. The bearings 41'f0r these shafts are carried by arms 42projecting inwardly,

from the top side r'ails of'the frame .to properly support them .inposition. These shafts 40 are connected to be driven at proper speedrelative to the conveyer by means of the sprocket chains 43, whichconnect the sprocket wheels 44: on the upper ends of the shafts 10 withsuitable sprocket wheels 44: on the shafts 40."

The reciprocating or striking folder 31 is slidably supported in aslotted bearing- 45 and is arranged to movedownwardly and rearwardly sothat it engages an'd folds the rearlinner flap. of the carton as it iscarried forward by v the conveyer. This re ciprocating folder isconnected to operate in proper orderwvith the other mechanism described,the operating means and con-' nection preferably-consisting of the cambearings 52 on the-topside rails of'thefframe to extend across the sameabove the con veyer. ,On this rockshaft is'an arm 53 having a slot 54,therein, which engages over the pin 55 on the folder 31,50 that thefolder is reciprocated and its movements properly timed with the rest'ofthe folding mechanism.

To retain the flaps" intheirfolded post tion, after passing from thepresserfolders 39, I preferably provide'a series of rollers 56 locatedabove the conveyer 'an'dwhich hold the flaps together until the gluehas. had sufiicient time to set and to adhere firmly to the flaps.Thcserollci's"are pref erably jou'rnaled in hangers 5'7 suspendedfromthe rear top crosspiece 58 of the frame.

The conveyer described is preferably adapted to deliver to a deliveryconveyer consisting of a pair of belts 59, which receive the sealedcartons and carry them to a place of delivery, and also hold the flapsintheir closed position until they have opportunity for further drying.The forward pulleys 60 of these belts are located close to the rear endof the sealing conveyer described, but, as this arrangement will be wellunderstood by those skilled in the art to which this invention relates,I show the same herein only. in conventional form.

To effectively support the cartons as they pass from the sealingconveyer to the delivery conveyer, I preferably locate a series ofrollers 61 between the end of the belt 3 and the bottom of the belt 59,the rollers being illustrated in conventional form in Fig.

1, and being carried by arms 62 on the frame.

The glue is supplied to the glue wheels 35 by means "of the gluereceptacles63, a receptacle being provided for each wheel. Thesereceptacles are open ended, the glue wheels fitting into one end andforming, in effect, the end thereof. The side walls of the gluereceptacles are curved at 64.- to fit the peripheries of the glue wheelsand their bottoms -65 serve as scrapers to regulate the delivery of theglue to the glue wheels.

The side and bottom walls are made adjustable,-that is, they are made upof telescoping sections, the receptacle section 66 being secured to thesupport 67, and the other section being adjustable therein. This isaccomplished by means of the. slots 68 in the side and bottom walls ofthe fixed section and bolts 69 arranged in these slots, so

that the adjustable section of the receptacle can be adjusted to andfrom the glue wheels, and thus nicely regulate the amountof gluedelivered or applied to the flaps.

Having described myv improved carton sealing mechanism, I willnowdescribe the automatic feed thereto. This preferably consists of thepair of feed belts70, which are arranged at each side of the forwardendofthe conveyerbelt 3,, as clearly appears .from Fig. 1., The rear endsof these belts are supported by suitable pulleys 71 mounted on the shaft72. As they may extend any desired distance from the machine and bearranged soas to receive the filled cartons from a carton fillingmach1ne,-or the filled of the sealing conveyer, the object being toinsure a full supply of filled cartons. These feed belts are support-edin a plane parallel 'with the surface of the belt of the sealingconveyer 3 by means of the supports 7 3 Fig.

. cartons may be placed thereon by hand, I do gaged position bythe'pivoted latches 77, the

latches being pivoted at 78,. and having hooks 79 at their inner endsadapted to engage the inner ends of the stops. The stops are returned totheir outer-or extended position, when released by the passing carton,

by the coiled springs 80. The stops 81 are provided for limiti g theoutward movement of the pivoted stops. The latches 77 are heldyieldingly in their engaging position by the coiled springs 82, suitablestops, as 83, being provided therefor. These stop frames are mounted onsuitable brackets 8-1 carried by the cross pieces 85 on the frame. Thesestop frames are preferably in the form of top and bottom platesseparated by suitable spacing members, the. latches and the stops beingpivoted on the top and bottom plates. To the rear of these stops, Ilocate the laterally movable shifters, preferably comprising the shifterplates 86 and 87, the plate 87 being centrally located and coacting withboth of the plates 86 forming, in

effect, a pair of shifters. I provide shifting.

stops or guard plates 88 which are moved alternately into and out oftheir operative position above the feed belts. These stop or guardplates are preferably carried by and project outwardly from the forwardedges of. the shifter platesv 86.

The shifters, as they are reciprocated, are, moved first over the oneand then over the other of the feed belts to receive the cartons andcarry them on to the conveyor belt 3. As the shifters move inwardly, or,on their delivery stroke, the latches 77 of the stops 74; are engaged bythe trips 89 carried by the plates 88 which releases the carton which isheld by the stops 74, allowing it to feed up against the shifter guardplate 88, so that,

- on the reverse movement when the shifter guard plate 88 is moved outof the path of the carton, the carton is carried forward by the feedbelt into the shifter, between the shifter plates against the fixed endplate 113 of the shifter.

The trip 89 is pivoted so that, on the re it slips over the latch 77, asuitable stop 90 being provided for the trip so that it is held rigid onthe forward movement. The shifter plates 86, 80 and 87 are secured bysuitable hangers 91, 91 and 92, respectively, to the shifter shaft orrod, which .is mounted to .main frame.

- preferably reciprocate in suitable bearings 94; in the The hanger 921s preferably slidably mounted on the shifter shaft. 93', so that, whilethe carton may move freely into the shifter, it is effectively graspedduring the shifting operation, and also the shifter plates, closing upon the same, take out any bulge in their side walls and deliver themproperly between the side belts and the seal in sufiiciently so thatthey pass into the conveyer readily between the side belts thereof; and,when released by the shifter, are effectively engaged by the conveyerand carried forward thereby.

The shifter is connected to be operated in proper sequence with thesealing mechanism described, the operating connection being preferably acam wheel 95 arranged on the shaft 11, the wheel having a cam groove 96therein to receive the roller 97 on the lower end of the lever 98.,This'lever is pivoted at 99 and its upper end is connected by theconnecting rod or link 100 to the bell crank lever 101, which is mountedon the vertical pivot 102, on the frame. The other arm of this lever 101is connected by the link 103 to the shifter shaft 93. The shifter shaftor rod is preferably provided with stop collars 104 to revent anyoverthrow which might result rom a looseness or play in the operatmgconnections. The hanger 92 for the shifting plate 87, 1s, as stated,yieldingly and slidably mounted upon the shifting rod 93. Suitablecollars as 105 are provided on the rod for limiting the movement of thishanger thereon,- see Fig. 12. a v

To retard the movement of the shifter plate 87, or to yieldingly hold itagainst the carton to grip and compress the same, I provide thefollowing means. On the top' of the hanger, I mount on the pivot 106apair' of crossed arms 107, which are connected by the spring 108 at oneend which tends to clamp the rollers 109, carried by the other endsthereof, upon the wedge block 110. This wedge block is prov1ded withstops 111, which engage the rollers 109 on the arms 107 carried by theshifting plate 87, as the movement of the shifting central position andthus releasing the carton. The wedge block 110 is double ended, so thatthe shifting plate 87 is actuated the same on both movements of theshlfting rod. The wedge plate 110 is .preferably supported on an arm 112projecting rearwardly from the rear cross piece of the main frame, asclearly appears in Fig. 2. V

To; insure the delivery of the cartons to the flap folding mechanism inexact time or sequence, I locate .in the conveyer a stop plate 74 thesame or similar to those described for the feed belts. The

rod is completed, moving it to a.

conveyer,t-hat is, they are compressed latch of this project downwardlyfrom. one of the for; ward pulleys 7 for the side belts 4 of the sealingconveyer. See Figs. 3 and 18. This serves as an additional precautionfor insuring the delivery of the cartons in proper position to receivethe stroke of the reciprocating flap folder 31, although the machinewilloperate very satisfactorily without this, as the feed .device istimed as stated'with the sealing mechanism. It, however, overcomes anyslight difference in the time that might result rom a slipping of thecarton in the conveyer, or as it is being introduced into the conveyerby the feed device.

' By forming and arranging theparts as have illustrated and described, Iprovide a machine which iscapable of very rapid work and requires verylittle attention, as it is not likely tobecome clogged in use, thecartons being effectively fed thereto, sealed, and deliveredautomatically without special attention of an operator. As stated, thecartons may be automatically delivered. from a carton filling machine tothe feed belts 70, or they may be placed thereon by hand.

By adjust-ably supporting the conveyer belts, as I have illustrated anddescribed, the conveyer may be adapted to cartons of different sizes, aconsiderable adjustment being possible in the device as shown; and, by

. changing the conveyer belts for belts of different widths, cartons"varyin greatly in size may be satisfactorily handled.

My .improved carton sealing machine is comparativelyysimple instructure, particu- I larly when its capacity is taken intoconsideration.

While I illustrate and describe a pair of feed belts in this connection,it will be obvious that a single feed belt mightbe used, but

I have illustrated and described my im provements in detail as appliedto a carton sealing machine and in the form preferred by. me on accountof their structural sun -pl1c1ty and economy. I am aware, however;

that they may be considerably varied" in structural details Withoutdeparting from my invention, and I desire tobe um'icrstotid as claiming'the same broadly, as well as specifically, as illustrated.=

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecureby Lot ters Patent is: 7

1. The combination Wlth a=frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottonrbeltand side belts, said bottom belt extending,forwardly beyond said sidebelts; supports for saidbot tom. and-side belts'over which they' are"adapted to-travel: sidebars arranged-par allelwith said side belts, saidside bars ex-f v, tending forwardly beyond. said side belts;

nulaplcd to travel; side bars arranged awl-4 supports for said feedbelts whereby their upper faces are supported in substantially the sameplane as the face of the said conveyer; and a shifter adapted to shiftthe cartons from said feed belts to said bottom conveyer belt. 2. Thecombination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom belt andside belts, said bottom belt extending forwardly beyond said side belts;side bars arranged parallel with'said belts, said side bars extendingforwardly beyond said side belts; a feed belt arranged at each side ofthe forward end of said bottom belt and overlapping the forwardlyextending end thereof; and a shifter adapted to shift the cartons Igroinsaid feed belts to said bottom conveyer elt. P

3. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom beltand side belts, said bottom belt extending forwardly beyond said sidebelts; supports for said bottom and side belts over which they areadapted to travel; a feed belt arranged at each side of the forward endof said bottom belt and overlapping the forwardly extended end thereof;supports for said feed belts whereby their upper faces are supported insubstantially the same plane as the face of the said conveyer; and ashifter adapted to shift'the cartons from said feed belts to said bottomconveyer belt.

4-. The combination with a frame, of 'a conveyer comprising a bottombelt and s1de belts. said bottom belt extending forwardly beyond saidside belts; a feed belt arranged at each sidev of the forward endofsaid'bottom belt and. overlapping the forwardly extended end thereof;and a shifter adapted to shift the cartons from said feed belts to saidbottom conveyer belt. 5. The combination with a frame, 'of a conveyercomprising a bottom belt and side I belts, said bottom belt extendingforwardly beyond said side belts; supports for said bottom and sidebelts, over .which'they are side belts: and a feed, mechanism adapted iend of said bottom'convey'er belt.

'(iQ'lhe combination. with aframe, of a. conveyer comprising a bottombelt and side beltsfsaid bottom belt extending forwardly beyond saidside belts; supportsfor said bottom and side beltsover wl ich they areadapted to tr'avel; side bars arranged. paral lel with said side 'beltsand?coactingthere-v to deliver, upon said forwardly extending with tofornrthesides of the conveyer;

and a feed mechanism adapted to deliver ;upon said forwardly extendingend of said I bottom. conveyer belt. V

7. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom beltand side belts, said bottom belt extending forwardly beyond said sidebelts; side bars arranged parallel with said side belts and coactingupon said forwardly extending end of said bottom conveyer belt.

9. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom beltand side belts; adjustable supports for said bottom and side belts overwhich they are adapted to travel; and side bars adjustably arrangedabove and below said side belts.

10. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottombeltand side belts; supports for said bottom and side belts over which theyare adapted to travel; and side bars adjustably arranged above and belowsaid side belts and coacting therewith to form the sides .of theconveyer. M

11. The combination with a frame, ofa conveyer'comprising' a bottom beltand side belts adjustable supports for said bottom an side belts. over\which'they are adapted to travel; and side bars arranged parallel withsaid side belts and coacting therewith to form the sides of theconveyer.

12. The combination with .a'frame, of' a conveyer comprising'a bottombelt. and side belts; supports for said bottom and side belts over whichthey are adapted to travel; and side bars arranged parallel with saidside belts and coactmg therewith to form the sides of the conveyer.

13. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottomand-side belts; sidebars arranged parallel with and above and below saidside belts; supports for said belts; and supports for "said side barsand pelt supports cgmprising pairs of uprights avm - 'for sald side barsand belt supportsengaged rights are mounted,- the securing bolts of salduprights to said cross pieces being arranged in said slots in said crosspieces,

whereby-they may be adjusted thereon.

14. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom andside belts;

supports for said belts; and supports for vertical slots therein;securing bolts" said belt supports comprisingo'pairs of u rights havingvertical slots therein; securing bolts for said belt. supports engagedin said slots whereby they gnay be adjusted, and slotted cross pieces onwhich said up: rights are mounted, the securing bolts of said uprightsto saidcross pieces being a1- ranged in said slots in said cross pleces,whereby they may be adjusted thereon.

15. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottomandside belts; side bars arranged parallel with and above and below saidside belts; supports for said belts; and supports for saidside bars andbelt supports comprising pairs of uprights having vertical slotstherein; securing bolts for said side bars and belt supports'engaged insaid slots whereby they" may be adjusted.

16. The combination with a frame, of a conveyer comprising a bottom andside belts; supports for said belts; and supports for said belt supportscomprising pairs of uprights having vertical slots therein, securingbolts forsaid. belt supports engaged in said slots whereby they may beadjusted.

17. The combination with a conveyer, of

a pair of feed belts arranged at each side of said conveyer; a shiftercomprising fixed end plates arranged above said feed belts; areciprocating shaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft;a central shifterplate arranged betweensaid outer shifter platesslidably arranged. on said reciprocatmg shaftystops on said shaft themovement of said central shifter plate for limiting' thereon; means forshifting said central I I,

plate between its said stops on said shaft; guard plates carried by theouter shifter plates adapted to extend over said feed belts when theshifter plates are in their inner positions; stops located in front ofsaid;

guard. plates; and trips for said stops carried by said guardplateswhereby said stops are released when said 'guard plates aremoved-into their operative position.

18. The combination with a conveyer, of a pair of feed belts arranged ateach side of said conveyer; a shifter comprising fixed' end platesarranged above said feed belts; a

reciprocating shaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft;a central shifter 'plate arranged between said outer shifter platesslidably arranged on said reciprocating shaft; stops on said shaft forlimiting the movement of said centralshifter plate thereon; means forshifting said central plate between its said stops on said shaft; guardplates carried by the outer shifter plates adapted toextend over saidfeed belts when the ,shifter plates are in their inner position.

' 19. Thepombination with a conveyer, of-a pair of feed belts arrangedat each side of said conveyer; a shifter comprising a res r Iciprocating shaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed -to said shaft;9, central shifter plate arranged between said outer shifter platesslidably arranged on said reciprocating shaft; stops on said shaft forlimiting the movement of said central shifter plate thereon; and meansfor shifting said central plate between its said stops on said shaft.

'20. The combination with a conveyor, of a pair of feed belts arrangedat each side of said conveyer; a shifter comprising fixed end platesarranged above said feed belts; a reciprocating shaft; a pair of outershifter plates fixed to said shaft; a central shifter plate arrangedbetween said outer shifter plates slidably arranged on saidreciprocating shaft; means for shifting said central plate on said shaftas said shaft is shifted whereby the cartons are clamped and released;guard plates carried by the outer shifter plates adapted to extend oversaid feed belts whenthe-shifter plates are in their inner posit-ions;stops located in front of said guard plates; and trips for said stopscarried by said guard plates whereby said stops are released when saidguard plates are moved into their operative positions.

-21. The combination with a conveyer, of apair of feed belts arranged ateach side of said eonveyer; a shifter con'lprising fixed -end platesarranged above said feed belts: a

reciprocating shaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft;a central shifter plate arranged between said outer shifter platesslidably arranged on said reciprocating shaft; means for shifting saidcentral plate on said shaft as said shaft is shifted whereby the cartonsare clamped and released; and guard plates carried by the outer shifterplates adapted to extend over said feed belts when the shifterplates arein'their lnner POSHDLODSV a u 22. The combination with a conveyer, of apair of feed belts arranged at each side of said conveyer; a shiftercomprising a reciprocatlng shaft; :1. pair of outer shifter plates fixedto said shaft; a central shifter plate arranged between said outershifter plates slldably arranged on said reciprocating shaft; andmeansfw shifting said central plate on said shaft as said shaft is'shiftedwhereby the cartons ,are clampedand released. p i

23. The combination with a conveyer'comprising a-belt, of a pair of feedbelts arranged at each side of said conveyer belt, said feed belts beingarranged with their upper faces in substantially the same plane as theface of the said conveyer belt; a shifter comprising fixed end platesarranged above said feedbelts; a reciprocating shaft; a pair of outershifter plates fixed tosaid shaft; a

central shifter plate arranged between said outer shifter plates andadapted to coact therewith; guard plates carried by the outer shifterplates adapted to extend over said feed belts when the shifter platesare in their inner positions; stops located in front of said guardplates; and trips for said stops carried by said guard plates wherebysaid stops are released when said guard plates are moved into theiroperative positions.

24. The combination with a conveyer comprising a belt, of a pair of feedbelts arranged at each side of said conveyer belt,

said feedbelts being arranged with their upper faces in substantiallythe same plane as the face of the said conveyor belt; a shiftercomprising fixed end plates arranged above said feed belts; areciprocating shaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft;a central shifter plate arranged between said outer shifter plates andadapted to coact therewith; and guard plates carried by" the outershifter plates adapted to extend over said feed belts when the shifterplates are in their inner positions.

25. The combination with a conveyer comprising a belt, of a pair of feedbelts arranged at. each side of said conveyer belt, said feed beltsbeing arranged with their upper faces in substantially the same plane asthe face of the said conveyer belt a shifter comprising a reciprocatingshaft; a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft: and a centralshifter plate arranged between said outer shifter plates and adapted tocoact therewith.

26. The combination with a conveyer, of a pair of 'feed belts arrangedat each side-of said conveyer; a shifter comprising a pair of outershifter plates connected to move together, and a central shifter platearranged between said outer shifterplates and having a movementindependent of said outer plates; means for shifting said central platewhereby its movement relative to said outer plates is retarded; guardplates carried byfthe outer shifter plates adapted to said c'onvever; ashifter comprising a pair of outer shifter plates connected to movetogether. and a central shifterplate arranged between said outer shifterplates and having a movement independent of said outer plates; means forshiftings'aid central plate wherebyits movement relative to said outerplates is retarded; and guard plates carried by the outer shifter platesadapted to extend over said feed belts when the shifter plates are intheir inner positions.

28. The combination with a conveyer, of a said conveyer; a shiftercomprising a pairof outer shifter plates connected to move to gethcr,and a central shifter plate arranged between said outer shifter platesand having a movement independent of said outer plates; means forshifting said central plate whereby its movement relative to said outerplates is retarded; stops located in front of said shifter plates; andtrips for said stops carried by said shifter plates.

30. The combination with a conveyer comprising a belt, apair of feedbelts arranged at each side of said conveyor belt; a shifter comprisingfixed end plates arranged above said feed belts; reciprocating shifterplates; guard plates carried by the shifter plates adapted to extendover said feed belts when the shifter plates are in their innerpositions; stops located in front of said. guard plates; and trips forsaid stops carried by said guard plates whereby said stops are releasedwhen said guard plates are moved-into their operative positions.

31. The combination with a conveyer comprising a belt, a pair of feedbelts arranged a at each side of said conveyer belt; a shifter upon saidshaft; means for shifting said ad-.

comprising fixed end plates arranged above said feed belts;reciprocating shifter plates; and guard plates carried by the shifterplates adapted to extend over said feed belts when the shifter platesare in their inner positions.

32. The combination with a conveyer com-.

prising a belt, a pair of feed belts arranged at each side of saidconveyor belt; a shifter comprising fixed end plates arraiiged abovesaid feed belts; reciprocating shifter plates; stops located in front ofsaid shifter plates; and trips for said stops carried by said shifterplates.

33. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at the sideof said 0011- veyer; a shifter comprising a fixed end plate arrangedabove said feed belt; a reciprocating shaft; a pair of shifter plates,one of which is fixed to and the other adjustable justable plate on saidshaft as said shaft is reciprocated, whereby the cartons are clamped andreleased; a guard plate carried by the fixed shifter plate adapted toextend over said fe'ed belt when the shifter plates are in their innerposition; a stop located in front of said guard plate; and a trip forsaid stop carried by said guard plate whereby said stop is released whensaid guard plate is moved into its operative position.

34. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at the sideof saidconveyer; a shifter comprising a fixed end plate arranged abovesaid feed belt; a reciprocating shaft; a pair of shifter plates, one ofwhich is fixed to and the other adjust-able upon said shaft; means forshifting said adjustable plate on said shaft as said shaft isreciprocated, whereby the cartons are clamped and released; and a guardplate is fixed to and the other adjustable upon said shaft; and meansfor shifting said adjustable plate on said shaft as said shaft isreciprocated, whereby the cartons are clamped and released.

36. The combinat-ionwith a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at the sideof said conveyer; a reciprocating shifter; a guard plate carried by theshifter adapted to extend over ,said feed belt when the shifter is inits inner position; a stop located in front of said shifter; and a tripfor said stop carried by said shifter whereby said stop is released whensaid guardpla te is moved into its operative position.

' 37 The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at theside of said conveyer; a reciprocating shifter; and a guard platecarried by the shifter adapted to ex.-. tend over said feed belt whenthe shifter is in its inner position.

38. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at the sideof said conveyer; a reciprocating shifter; a stop located in front ofsaid shifter; and a trip for said stop carried by said shifter wherebysaid stop is released.

39. The combination with a conveyer, of a pair of feed belts arranged ateach-side of said conveyer; a shifter comprising a reciprocating shaft;a pair of outer shifter plates fixed to said shaft;'a central shifterplate arranged between said outer shifter plates slidably arranged onsaid reciprocating shaft; stops on said shaft for limiting the movementof said central shifter plate thereon; means for shifting said centralplate between its said stops on said shaft, comprising a pair of crossedlevers pivotally' mounted thereon, a spring connecting one end of saidlevers; a double wedge piece having stops at each end thereof; androllers on said levers adapted to engage said wedge piece, coacting asspecified.

40. The combination with a conveyer, of a pair of feed belts arranged-ateach side of saidconveyer; a shifter comprisin a reciprocating shaft; apair of outer shi ter plates fixed to said shaft; a central shifterplate arranged between said outer shifter plates slidably arranged onsaid reciprocating shaft; stops on Said shaft for limiting the movementof said central shifter plate theresaid shaft; stops on said shaft forlimiting the movement of said adjustable shifter plate thereon; meansfor shifting said adjustable plate between its said stops on said shaft,comprising a pair of crossed levers pivotally mounted thereon; a springconnecting one end of said levers; and a Wedge piece having stops at theend thereof, and rollers on said levers adapted to engage said wedgepiece,.coacting as specified.

'- 42. The combination with a-conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at theside of said conve' er' a shifter com risin a reci rocatin a i shaft; apair of shifter plates, one of which is fixed to and the otheradjustable upon saidshaft; stops on said shaft for limiting the movementof said adjustable shifter plate thereon; means for shifting saidadjustable plate between its said stops on saidshaft,

comprising a pair of crossed levers pivotally mounted thereon; a springconnecting one end of sald levers; and a wedge piece having stops at theend thereof arranged to act on said levers, coacting as specified.

43. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at the sideof said conveyer; a shifter comprising a reciprocating shaft; a pair ofshifter plates, one of which is fixed to and the other adjustable uponsaid shaft; stops on said shaft for limiting the movement of saidadjustable shifter plate thereon; means for shifting said adjustableplate between its said stops on said shaft as said shaft isreciprocated, whereby E carton is clamped and released, as specied. a

44. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged at'the sideof said conveyer; a shifter comprising a reciprocating shifter plate; aguard plate carried by the said shifter plate adapted to extend oversaid feed belt when the shifter plate is in its inner position; apivoted stop located in front of saidguard plate; a spring for returningsaid stop to its engaging or extended position; a catch for said stopwhereby said stop is held in its extended or operative position; and atrip'for said cat-ch carried by said when said guard plate is moved intoits operative position.

45. The combination with a conveyer, of a feed belt arranged atthe sideof said conveyer; a reciprocating shifter; a pivoted stop located infront ofsaid shifter; a spring for returning said stop to its engagingorextended position; a catch for said stop whereby said stop is held inits extended or operative position; and a trip for said catch carried bysaid shifter. I

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal in the presenceof two WItIIGSSGS.

HARRY L. JOHNSON. a 5.]

Witnesses:

BERNARD PLUM, THERESA FLETCHER.

guard plate whereby said stop is released

